New School Budgeted For Boca Area

Environmentalists Oppose Plan

Water managers granted environmental permits on Thursday for a new development west of Boca Raton, clearing the way for construction of a middle school in the class-crowded community.

"It's great news," Palm Beach County School Board member Sandra Richmond said. "We're all ready to go."The new school is budgeted and could be open in January 1998, Richmond said.

The school would be built on 30 acres off Everglades Pump Road west of Cain Boulevard south of Yamato Road.

Developer G.L. Homes agreed to sell the School Board the land as part of the process of building homes on a 229-acre vegetable farm it is purchasing from Capella Farms.

The farm property abuts the dike of the Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge, and environmentalists urged the South Florida Water Management District board on Thursday to reject the permits, fearing pollution.

Water management planning director Dan Cary estimated it would cost the district up to $60,000 an acre to purchase the land and prevent development.

But Nanciann Regalado, speaking on behalf of the National Audubon Society, urged the district to purchase the land like it has other property next to the dike. "Cost alone should not muddy your vision," Regalado said.

Local Audubon Society member Rosa Durando urged the water managers not to get caught up in the problems of the School Board and class crowding.

William Hammond, a district board member, voted against the permits, saying the technical information did not satisfy concerns that the development could be flood prone.

But the water management district gave approval, 4-2.

Jeff Winikoff, West Boca Community Council vice president, said Loggers' Run Middle School west of Boca Raton was operating with 2,200 children, 1,000 more than its capacity.

"We urge the School Board to build as quickly as possible, as the children definitely need a school," Winikoff said after the water management district meeting.